System and methods for the retention of a search query

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented method for the retention of a search query, the method comprising selecting a media search source via a user interface; providing a form-based interface that allow the entry of inputs to form a first media search query; submitting the first media search query to the media search source; receiving a first media search result for viewing on the user interface based on the first media search query, the first media search result comprising first media; displaying the first media search result in a collection depository on the user interface; and saving the first media search query as a permalink for later use in submitting a second media search query; wherein the method is performed by one or more processors adapted to execute instructions stored on one or more memory components of the computer, is described herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/078,288, filed Jul. 3, 2008, entitled,“Multi-media Online Presentation System and Method,” the entiredisclosure which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to the collection of media, andmore particularly to a system and methods for the search, collection,and retention or saving of a search query for use in, among otherthings, a network-based multimedia presentation.

2. Related Art

Multimedia is media and content that utilizes a combination of differentcontent forms. The term is used in contrast to media that only utilizestraditional forms of printed or hand-produced text and still graphics.In general, multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, stillimages, animation, video, and interactivity content forms. Multimedia isusually recorded and played, displayed, or accessed by informationcontent processing devices, such as computerized and electronic devices.Multimedia finds its application in various areas including, but notlimited to, social marketing, advertisement, art, education,entertainment, engineering, medicine, mathematics, business, scientificresearch and spatial temporal applications.

A variety of online websites are presently available to enable thecreation and presentation including the publication of some form ofmultimedia. For example, MixerCast enables a user to build a socialmarketing application from scratch. Scrapblog enables a user to combinephotos, videos, audio and text to create multimedia scrapbooks. Smileboxfacilitates “creative messaging” that draws elements from photoservices, scrapbooking, and e-cards.

Each website will typically provide one or more online tools for thecreation and customization of the multimedia. Such online tools and/ordesktop tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc., allow the user tocollect, edit, create, and publish or distribute the multimedia. In thisregard, various style presentations may be utilized, photos may beresized and text may be added, video may be inserted, and/or links toother sites or presentations may be provided. Despite providing somelevel of customization, multimedia tools currently available are oftencumbersome and difficult to use and thus limit the self-expression andcreativity of the non-professional user when creating multimediapresentations. Accordingly, there exists a need for a relatively morerobust multimedia creation tool including a system and methods for thesearch, collection, and saving of a search query media for use in, amongother things, a network-based multimedia presentation.

SUMMARY

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, exemplary embodiments ofsystems and methods for automatic media population of a stylepresentation have been described herein.

In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for the retention of asearch query, the method comprises selecting a media search source via auser interface; providing a form-based interface that allow the entry ofinputs to form a first media search query; submitting the first mediasearch query to the media search source; receiving a first media searchresult for viewing on the user interface based on the first media searchquery, the first media search result comprising first media; displayingthe first media search result in a collection depository on the userinterface; and saving the first media search query as a permalink forlater use in submitting a second media search query; wherein the methodis performed by one or more processors adapted to execute instructionsstored on one or more memory components of the computer.

In another embodiment, a computer system for the retention of a searchquery, the system comprises a storage device; a processing elementhaving a processing program and access to the storage device; and aprocess-readable medium having executable instructions thereon to directthe processing system when used by the processing element to: select amedia search source via a user interface; provide a form-based interfacethat allow the entry of inputs to form a first media search query;submit the first media search query to the media search source; receivea first media search result for viewing on the user interface based onthe first media search query, the first media search result comprisingfirst media; display the first media search result in a collectiondepository on the user interface; and save the first media search queryas a permalink for later use in submitting a second media search query.

In still another embodiment, a computer-readable medium having acomputer executable instructions for performing a method comprisesselecting a media search source via a user interface; providing aform-based interface that allow the entry of inputs to form a firstmedia search query; submitting the first media search query to the mediasearch source; receiving a first media search result for viewing on theuser interface based on the first media search query, the first mediasearch result comprising first media; displaying the first media searchresult in a collection depository on the user interface; and saving thefirst media search query as a permalink for later use in submitting asecond media search query.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bemore readily apparent from the detailed description of the embodimentsset forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system configured to facilitate thecreation and publishing and/or sharing of multimedia presentations overa network.

FIGS. 2A-2M show elements, components, or stages for the search,collection, edit, and saving of media in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 2N-2R show elements, components, or stages for the automatic mediapopulation of a style presentation in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingone or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments and their advantages are best understood byreferring to the detailed description that follows. It should beappreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify likeelements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showingstherein are for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments and notfor purposes of limiting the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure related to systems and methods forthe automatic media population of a style presentation. As indicatedabove, multimedia presentations may find application in various areasincluding, but not limited to, social marketing, advertisement, art,education, entertainment, engineering, medicine, mathematics, business,scientific research and spatial temporal applications.

In one embodiment a system and method provides for a robust end-to-enddigital media creation architecture that enables a user to create richmultimedia presentations and clips online with real-time editing andauthoring, and then share or publish the media online. As shown in FIG.1, the system 100 includes at least one client device 120 (e.g., networkcomputing device), one or more multimedia distribution channels 140(e.g., network server devices), and at least one service provider device180 (e.g., network server device) in communication over the network 160.

In one embodiment, the network 160 may be implemented as a singlenetwork or a combination of multiple networks. For example, in variousembodiments, the network 160 may include the Internet and/or one or moreintranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or otherappropriate types of communication networks. In another example, thenetwork 160 may comprise a wireless telecommunications network (e.g.,cellular phone network) adapted to communicate with other communicationnetworks, such as the Internet. As such, in various embodiments, the atleast one client device 120, the multimedia distribution channels 140,and the at least one service provider device 180 may be associated witha particular link (e.g., a link, such as a URL (Uniform ResourceLocator) to an IP (Internet Protocol) address).

In various embodiments, the at least one client device 120 may beimplemented using any appropriate combination of hardware and/orsoftware configured for wired and/or wireless communication over thenetwork 160. The client device 120 may be implemented as a personalcomputing device (e.g., a personal computer (PC)) in communication withthe network 160, such as the Internet. In various other implementations,the client device 120 may be implemented as one or more wirelesstelephones (e.g., cell phones), personal digital assistants (PDAs),notebook computers, and/or various other generally known types of wiredand/or wireless computing devices. It should be appreciated that theclient device 120 may be referred to as a user device or customer devicewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the client device 120 includes a user interfaceapplication 122 that may be utilized by a user 102 to conductinformation transactions with the distribution channels 140 and theservice provider server 180 over the network 160. For example, the userinterface application 122 may be implemented as a multimediapresentation application to collect, create and publish information viathe network 160. In various implementations, multimedia presentationsmay be published to and/or shared with one or more of the multimediachannels 140 via the user interface application 122 over the network160.

In one implementation, the user interface application 122 comprises asoftware program, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), executableby a processor that is configured to interface and communicate with themultimedia channels 140 and the service provider server 180 via thenetwork 160. In another implementation, the user interface application122 comprises a browser module that provides a network interface tobrowse information available over the network 160. For example, the userinterface application 122 may be implemented, in part, as a web browserto view information available over the network 160. In another example,each member of the user group 102 is able to access multimedia websitesvia the one or more multimedia channels 140 to view, collect and publishmultimedia presentations over the network 160.

In various embodiments, the client device 120 may include otherapplications as may be desired in one or more implementations to provideadditional features available to the user 102. In one example, suchother applications may include security applications for implementingclient-side security features, programmatic client applications forinterfacing with appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs)over the network 160 or various other types of generally known programsand/or applications. In other examples, these other applications mayinterface with the user interface application 122 for improvedefficiency and convenience. For example, files, data, and/or varioustypes of information may be imported from multimedia software directlyinto the user interface application 122 for ease of access to multimediafiles (e.g., audio, video, pictures, clip-art, etc.).

The client device 120 may include a user identifier, which may beimplemented, for example, as operating system registry entries, cookiesassociated with the user interface application 122, identifiersassociated with hardware of the client device 120, or various otherappropriate identifiers. The user identifier may include attributesrelated to the user 102, such as personal information (e.g., a username, password, etc.). In one implementation, the user identifier may bepassed to the service provider server 180 during publishing and/orsharing of a multimedia presentation.

In one embodiment, the multimedia distribution channels 140 may bemaintained by one or more resource providers and/or entities (e.g.,social networking sites, resource information sites, management sites,merchant sites, etc.) in communication with the network 160. In thisregard, the service provider server 180, discussed below, may maintainor provide access to the one or more of the multimedia distributionchannels. The multimedia distribution channels 140 may be implementedusing any appropriate combination of hardware and/or software configuredfor wired and/or wireless communication over the network 160. In oneimplementation, the multimedia distribution channels 140 may beimplemented as a network computing device (e.g., a network server) inwired and/or wireless communication with the network 160.

In one embodiment, the service provider server 180 may be maintained byan online transaction processing provider and/or entity in communicationwith the network 160. As such, the service provider server 180 may beimplemented using any appropriate combination of hardware and/orsoftware configured for wired and/or wireless communication over thenetwork 160. In one implementation, the service provider server 180 maybe implemented as a network computing device (e.g., a network server) inwired and/or wireless communication with the network 160.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the service provider server 180 includes aservice interface application 182, which may be adapted to interact withthe client device 120 to facilitate the collection of media, as well asthe creation including editing and the publishing and/or sharing ofmultimedia presentations over a network. In one example, the serviceprovider server 180 may be provided and implemented by PayPal, Inc. ofSan Jose, Calif., USA.

The service application 182, in one embodiment, utilizes a collectmodule 184, a create module 186, and a publish module 188 running on astandard web browser to collect information, create presentations, andpublish presentations, respectively. As described in greater detailherein, the modules 184, 186, 188 enable users, such as the user 102, tocollect diverse types of audio and visual media, create rich multimediapresentations with real-time editing and authoring using media software,such as Flash, and then share and/or publish the rich multimediapresentations with other users via the network 160. In one example, thecollect, create, and publish modules 184, 186, 188 may be implementedwithin a standard web browser for interfacing with the user 102.

In one implementation, the user 102 is able to share multimediapresentations with other users via the media channels 140 and/or embedmultimedia presentations directly in webpages of other users. Forexample, the user 102 may provide a unique URL link for the multimediapresentation to other users. In another example, the user 102 maydirectly email multimedia presentations to multiple recipients andinclude a message with the email. In still another example, the user 102may provide the source HTML (i.e., HyperText Markup Language) code toother users and/or embed the source HTML code directly into anotheruser's webpage. Still other examples include the ability to publishmultimedia presentations on a website to sell a particular item orservice for purchase. For items and/or services, a media richpresentation may help users market and sell items and/or services, whichmay be valuable for high-end or high-priced items and/or services.Social and/or dating sites may utilize these multimedia presentations toprovide online users with a way to better present themselves to otheronline users. In various implementations, some type of webpage may bepresented in a more dynamic manner by utilizing Rich Site Summary (RSS)Feeds, since, for example, a particular user's presentation may becontinually changing with new media.

In various embodiments, the service provider server 180 may beconfigured to maintain, store and/or archive multimedia presentations ina database 190, each of which may include information related to one ormore users, such as the user 102, and one or more multimedia channels,such as multimedia distributions channels 140. In various examples, themultimedia presentations may include attributes stored as part thereof,and the attributes may be passed to the service provider server 180 aspart of a creating, publishing and/or sharing the multimediapresentations.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2N, in one embodiment, the collectmodule 184 includes search modules 200, 201, 202, 203, etc., to enablethe user 102 to search, collect, view, and, store/save media includingmultimedia. Such media including audio, photographic images, video, andmusic media from a service source, such as a PC, RSS feeds, websites,and any other online source, is searched and collected via a userinterface, such as the user interface application 122, to a collectiondepository or library 123 associated with and viewable at same time asthe storyboard 124 on the GUI of the interface application 122.

In various implementations, the user interface application 122 comprisesmultiple search tabs and/or links for the various search sources.Search-based modules 200-203 are aggregated in a drop-down combointerface 205 indexed by media type and media provider (FIG. 2C). Eachsearch provider or search source advertises the media types it indexes,and the number of type of inputs the search provider handles. Forexample, a search of the Flickr community may be done via “user”, “tag”,or “full text”. When a search provider or search source is selected, theuser interface updates 206 to show a form-based interface that allowsthe user to enter necessary query inputs (FIG. 2A). Depending on thetype of search provider or search source, when the user initiates asearch, the request goes either to a service system server-sidecomponent 180 or directly to a third-party server-side component. Whenthe request is to the search system the server-side component handlesall details of contacting the third party API, avoiding any browsersecurity issues, and allowing any results from the third-party to benormalized and cached, if desired. When requests go directly to thethird-party server, that is a search source or search provider otherthan the service provider 180, the requests are subject to cross-sitedata restrictions imposed by the browsers and the Flash environment, andadditional logic is needed to normalize any results to the serviceprovider data model.

Search base modules may include account-based modules such as Flickr202, mentioned above, and Picasa 203 that present an authenticationinterface allowing a user to connect to the user's public and/or privatephotos at a third-party hosting service. Depending on the APIs supportedby the third-party, users can browse, sort, and select media fromcorresponding user accounts once the associated user has beauthenticated.

Use of the collect module enables key words to be selected to form asearch query to search photos in Flickr or videos in YouTube. Forexample, selecting the “full text” search criteria and typing in“sunflowers” in a Flickr search query results in pictures of sunflowersor photos from Flickr being presented on the user's GUI or media page. Aresult of the aforementioned search query in Flickr is shown in FIG. 2B.The collected media (sunflowers) may be viewed individually as shown inFIG. 2C or as photo clusters as shown in FIG. 2D.

In this regard, the collect module or step enables the user to clustermedia associated with a variable number of related media items in thecollection depository and that can be dragged and dropped into thestoryboard 124 The storyboard 124 is generally considered an area of theGUI reserved for the media that is later used in the creation of richmultimedia presentations. In this regard, during the process of mediacollection, the collection depository 123 may include multiple photosfrom a first search source, multiple photos from a second search source,or multiple videos from yet another search source while the storyboard124 includes only those photos, videos, images, etc., that are at leastat some point intended to be included in the creation of a richmultimedia presentation.

Media may be clustered based on time and author of the media. If theuser selects the cluster mode from the media page (FIG. 2D), the systemperforms a simple time based clustering using a sliding window. Ifconsecutive photos fall within the window they are clustered together.The window duration is chosen based on a heuristic, generally, betweenfor example, 10 seconds and 15 minutes are use based on the searchprovider. For example, as shown in FIG. 2E, each media item includescredits such as date created, source (Flickr.com), and author(Sankova.o). As such, in one embodiment, those photos collected within apredetermined time frame by the same author may be clustered together.In this regard, the size or number or media items in each cluster mayvary. In an alternative embodiment, the user might be able tointeractively adjust the window. Because large clusters can beundesirable, the system may split clusters above a predetermined maximumsize. To split a cluster a sorted list of time differentials is created.The system then attempts to cluster by the largest time difference untilall sub-clusters are smaller than the maximum predetermined clustersize.

The architecture allows explicit media to be added to the storyboard 124or the entire query itself to be added to the storyboard 124. Placingdesired media on the storyboard or clip board may be accomplished bydragging and dropping. As shown in FIG. 2B, the user can drag and dropdesired individual pictures and/or clusters of pictures onto astoryboard 124 on the same screen as the collection depository 123. Thepictures can be edited into stacks if desired. In another example, thecollect module 184 provides media on a user's media page (i.e., notplaced on the storyboard). For example, with videos, a desired video canbe placed onto the user's media page by typing in the corresponding URLin YouTube. The system can then display the complete as well as a seriesof shorter video clips.

In this regard, the collect module or step enables the user to collectvideo and to separate or section the video into a cluster of smallerseparate video segments. More specifically, media including video, aswell as audio/music, may be divided into a plurality of relativelysmaller segments of a predetermined duration. The segment duration maybe based on time or data size. The whole video or selected shorterclips, as well as the photos can then be dragged and dropped (relocated)into the storybook 124 section to create a presentation from the mediacollected.

The collect module 184 or step may include a “save” icon to enable theuser to save media collected from the search source or external API inthe collect depository 123 or storyboard 124 so that when the storyboard124 is accessed, the media is easily accessible and available for use inediting or creating rich multimedia presentations in the storyboard 124.In addition, the collect module 184 permits the search query to besaved; allowing for a “shortcut” to the query to be quickly accessed.

In this regard, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, all of the search-basedmodules 200-203 support persisting the query inputs, i.e., search query,to the search source as a Feed or network search path. In this regard,when the user starts a session, for example, with a particularapplication, the server returns a list of custom categories the user hascreated, and a list of Feeds the user has created (FIG. 2F). Each Feedhas a title, a category, and an xml-based persistence of the user inputs(FIG. 2G). The user then saves the search query as a network search orfile path. If the user selects the Feed, i.e. “New category” and“sunflowers” from one of the multiple search tabs within the “my media”tab the application resubmits the query and displays the resulting media(FIG. 2H).

In an alternative version of a Feed, the storyboard contents can bepersisted as a Feed to allow saved references from multiple sources inone book marked location. Rather than persisting query inputs, the Feedcontains an xml representation of the clusters of media with sufficientinformation to reconnect to the media, typically a URL, media type, andpossibly some additional user created metadata such as a title orcaption. The architecture further allows “dynamic” Feeds to search andsaved for later use in creating multimedia presentations.

In an example of “dynamic media”, the user can search photos in theuser's Picasa account or an RSS Feed of “Yahoo Most Viewed” (FIG. 2I).In one embodiment, the photos or RSS Feed are automatically shown at thebottom of the viewing page, as well as in a style viewing area 210corresponding to the style chosen. As shown in FIG. 2I, the RSS Feed ofYahoo's Most Viewed is displayed in a postcard style corresponding tothe selected postcard style. The viewing page allows the user to selectvia a select slider 211 how many photos, videos, etc., are to be in thecollected presentation page. For example, the number may default totwenty, but the user may select a different number and new photos withautomatically be added or deleted from the currently viewed photos.Individual photos, videos, etc., which represent some event, may beselected within the style viewing area 210 to access event relatedinformation and/or an event related URL where the related informationprovided.

As mentioned above, just as photos from Flickr or other sources may besaved in the database 190, so to may the “dynamic” content of the RSSFeed and similar search services by selection of a save or “I'm done”icon 212, and added to a multimedia presentation. In this regard, insaving the “dynamic” content of the RSS Feed (“Yahoo Most Viewed”) a URLpermalink (network search path or file path) 213 is assigned to the RSSFeed (FIGS. 2K and 2L). The URL permalink 213 may then be added as a“hot spot” or as an individual frame within a multimedia presentationthat is slightly different each time the presentation is viewed due toits “dynamic” or changing nature. The “dynamic” media object can referto API calls, RSS Feeds, search queries, or any type of external call toa database where the parameters of that query can retrieve data or mediadynamically.

As indicated above, once collected, the media may be saved and furthercategorized in the database 190 and edited on the system site via theservice provider server 180. Editing may occur on the media page or inthe storyboard and include one or more of sizing, rotating, overlying,moving and stacking various media backward and forward with an overlayor stack (FIG. 2M). Video may be broken up automatically by the serviceprovider server 180 into smaller segments. Selected video segments maybe combined and/or used as desired. Selected media may be placed on avirtual storyboard, such as a clipboard, on the same screen as thecollection of media. Media may be edited either in the collectionarea/media page or in the storyboard. In still another example,uploading media may be delayed until editing is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 2N and 2R, the service provider server 180 mayautomatically suggest a story idea to launch the creative process, orthe user 102 may select a specific style or presentation tool. Withinthe presentation, there may be multiple styles, such as a picture frame,a television, a billboard, etc. In one implementation, media from thestoryboard may be dragged and dropped onto the presentation. In thisregard, media may be placed within the viewing window of each type ofstyle.

Alternatively, the user can create a presentation from the media in thestorybook section by selecting a style, such as a slide show, a photoslider, a room with different viewing areas including picture frames,etc. The media is then automatically loaded into the selected style. Forexample, a clustered set of photos may automatically play in frame, anda video clip may automatically play on a television. In another example,the branches of a tree are automatically filled with different selectedmedia for viewing. Another style may be a page of postcards, such thatwhen that style is selected, the previously chosen media isautomatically filled into the postcards on a single page.

More specifically, in one embodiment, once media is collected, astoryboard located on the right side of the user interface may bepopulated with the collected media by dragging and dropping one or moreof the media items or cluster of media items collected from the variousmedia sources from the media collection area onto the storyboard forlater use in creating a media piece (FIG. 2B). In this regard, thestoryboard may includes two items collected from the web, one itemuploaded from a PC, and a cluster of four items also collected from theweb (FIG. 2D). Media positioned on the storyboard may be edited prior tocreating a media piece. For example, individual items of media in amedia cluster may be reordered (FIG. 2M). Once media has been collectedand edited, media piece creation may proceed by clicking the createarrow at the bottom of the user interface and then choosing to proceedto the create module 186 (FIG. 2N).

As indicated above, to begin the process of creating a media piece theuser may select a thumbnail from the presentation “styles” menu (FIG.2O). Presentation styles may include, but are not limited to, a pictureframe, billboard, kaleidoscope, street scene, landscape, etc. Once a“style” is selected media from the storyboard will automatically flowinto or populate the chosen “style” (FIGS. 2P-2R). In this regard, thepresentation media shown in FIG. 2D has automatically populatedcorresponding presentation elements with the chosen presentation style.Some styles, which support movement of media as part of a presentationstyle, may provide the user with the ability to customize variouscharacteristics of the movement such as speed of media rotation, etc.,within the style.

Once the style is chosen, the user may also select different variationsof the style. Each particular style typically has a different set ofvariations suited for that style. For example, for the tree style, auser may select different types of frames on the branches to contain themedia, a specific background may be selected from a user image, anddifferent style trees may be used. For the photo slider, different typesand styles of frames may be used, as well as different types ofpresentations, e.g., spacing between photos, no spacing, and backgroundselection. For the page of postcards, the user may select differentconfigurations of the postcards on the page as well as differentbackgrounds for the page.

Once in the style presentation, the media may be edited. For example,the media may be rotated, sized, cut-out (e.g., by selecting theboundaries of an image, such as with clicks to designate points alongthe boundary, enabling as coarse or fine a resolution as desired), movedforward or backward in relation to adjacent media, slide multiple imagesto add or remove spaces within the presentation, and adding a hotspot(e.g., selecting an area of the image for additional information, suchas adding a link, video, text, etc.). Other editing features may includeadding audio to the background, adding text, and/or distorting images.This further editing may depend on the style chosen, as different stylesmay have different editing capabilities. In one aspect, the editing maybe achieved in real-time so that the user 102 may quickly and easily seethe results and change them as needed.

In one embodiment, the publish module 186 enables the user 102 to share,publish and/or distribute the presentation when, for example, thepresentation is completed. In one implementation, as described herein,the presentation may be saved in the database 190 of the serviceprovider server 180. Once saved, the user 102 may share, publish and/ordistribute presentations to any selected channel, such as one or more ofthe multimedia channels 140. Any users on the network 160 having accessto the channels 140 or website related to the channels 140 may refreshthe view, which may automatically load the presentation into thatchannel and/or website for viewing the content of the presentation. Assuch, the presentations may be distributed to various online websites,blogs, mobile video players, and IP TV networks, and/or on the systemsite.

The collect, create, and publish modules 184, 186, 188 may be combined,used, and/or modified to provide the user 102 with different initialchoices regarding the type of presentation and features desired forcreating the multimedia presentation. The choices may be a simple, easyto use tool to quickly build presentations with dynamic content from RSSfeeds and online albums. Accordingly, the user 102 may select apresentation style and, as detailed above, link it to the user's medialibraries through RSS Feeds that maintain an “always on” permalink tothe content source.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer system 300 suitable forimplementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure,including the user device 120, the one or more distribution channels140, and the service provider device 180. In various implementations,the client device 140 may comprise a personal computing device capableof communicating with the network 160, such as a personal computer,laptop, cell phone, PDA, etc., the one or more merchant devices 140 maycomprise a network computing device, such as a network server, and theservice provider device 180 may comprise a network computing device,such as a network server. Hence, it should be appreciated that each ofthe devices 120, 140, 180 may be implemented as computer system 300 in amanner as follows.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,computer system 300, such as a personal computer and/or a networkserver, includes a bus 302 or other communication mechanism forcommunicating information, which interconnects subsystems andcomponents, such as processing component 304 (e.g., processor,micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), system memorycomponent 306 (e.g., RAM), static storage component 308 (e.g., ROM),disk drive component 310 (e.g., magnetic or optical), network interfacecomponent 312 (e.g., modem or Ethernet card), display component 314(e.g., CRT or LCD), input component 316 (e.g., keyboard), and cursorcontrol component 318 (e.g., mouse or trackball). In one implementation,disk drive component 310 may comprise a database having one or more diskdrive components.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, methodsdescribed herein are developed as a program language and embodied in aprocessing of computer-readable medium as executable instructions thatcan be used to direct a processing program when used by the computersystem 300. In this regard, the computer system 300 may perform specificoperations by processor 304 executing one or more sequences of one ormore instructions contained in system memory component 306. Suchinstructions may be read into system memory component 306 from acomputer readable medium, such as static storage component 308 or diskdrive component 310. In other embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may beused in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement the present disclosure.

Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which may refer toany medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 304for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but notlimited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical ormagnetic disks, such as disk drive component 310, volatile mediaincludes dynamic memory, such as system memory component 306, andtransmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiberoptics, including wires that comprise bus 302. In one example,transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such asthose generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

Some common forms of computer readable media includes, for example,floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM,FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave, or anyother medium from which a computer is adapted to read.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution ofinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may beperformed by computer system 300. In various other embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a plurality of computer systems 300 coupled bycommunication link 320 (e.g., network 160 of FIG. 1, such as a LAN,WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, includingtelecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may performinstruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordinationwith one another.

Computer system 300 may transmit and receive messages, data, informationand instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., applicationcode) through communication link 320 and communication interface 312.Received program code may be executed by processor 304 as receivedand/or stored in disk drive component 310 or some other non-volatilestorage component for execution.

Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosuremay be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardwareand software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware componentsand/or software components set forth herein may be combined intocomposite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present disclosure. Where applicable,the various hardware components and/or software components set forthherein may be separated into sub-components comprising software,hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated thatsoftware components may be implemented as hardware components andvice-versa.

Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as programcode and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readablemediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may beimplemented using one or more general purpose or specific purposecomputers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Whereapplicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may bechanged, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-stepsto provide features described herein.

The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosureto the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, itis contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modificationsto the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or impliedherein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus describedembodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is limited only by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for the retentionof a search query, the method comprising: providing a form-basedinterface that allows a user to enter inputs to form a first mediasearch query; receiving the first media search query to a media searchsource selected by the user via a user interface; providing a firstmedia search result for viewing on the user interface based on the firstmedia search query, the first media search result comprising firstmedia; displaying the first media search result in a collectiondepository on the user interface; saving the first media search query asa permalink for later use in submitting a second media search query,wherein the permalink is associated with dynamic content of an RSS feed;adding the permalink to a multimedia presentation for viewing over anetwork, wherein the presentation comprises at least a plurality ofmedia from a user search query and the presentation is dynamic andchanges each time the presentation is viewed if media corresponding tothe permalink has changed between viewings; receiving a user-selectedselected style, from a plurality of different styles that includes oneor more styles allowing the user to customize various characteristics ofmovement within the one or more styles, for the multimedia presentation;and automatically populating the user-selected style with the mediaselected by the user based on the user-selected style, wherein themethod is performed by one or more processors adapted to executeinstructions stored on one or more memory components of the computer. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the permalink is a network file path. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the first media is one of dynamic media.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the dynamic media is one of audio,video, music, or multimedia.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprises: receiving the saved first media search query; providing asecond media search result for viewing on the user interface based onthe saved media search query, the second media search result comprisingsecond media different from the first media; and displaying the secondmedia search result in a collection depository on the user interface. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the first media is one of audio,photographic images, video, or music.
 7. A computer system for theretention of a search query, the system, comprising: a storage device; aprocessing element having a processing program and access to the storagedevice; and a process-readable medium having executable instructionsthereon to direct the processing system when used by the processingelement to: provide a form-based interface that allows a user to enterinputs to form a first media search query; receive the first mediasearch query to a media search source selected by the user via a userinterface; provide a first media search result for viewing on the userinterface based on the first media search query, the first media searchresult comprising first media; display the first media search result ina collection depository on the user interface; save the first mediasearch query as a permalink for later use in submitting a second mediasearch query, wherein the permalink is associated with dynamic contentof an RSS feed; add the permalink to a multimedia presentation forviewing over a network, wherein the presentation comprises at least aplurality of media from a user search query and the presentation isdynamic and changes each time the presentation is viewed if mediacorresponding to the permalink has changed between viewings; receive auser-selected selected style, from a plurality of different styles thatincludes one or more styles allowing the user to customize variouscharacteristics of movement within the one or more styles, for themultimedia presentation; and automatically populate the user-selectedstyle with the media selected by the user based on the user-selectedstyle.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the permalink is a network filepath.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first media is one ofdynamic media.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the dynamic media isone of audio, video, music, or multimedia.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the process-readable medium further includes executableinstructions thereon to direct the processing system when used by theprocessing element to: receive the saved first media search query;provide a second media search result for viewing on the user interfacebased on the saved media search query, the second media search resultcomprising second media different from the first media; and display thesecond media search result in a collection depository on the userinterface.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the first media is one ofaudio, photographic images, video, or music.
 13. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having a computer executable instructions forperforming a method comprising: providing a form-based interface thatallows a user to enter inputs to form a first media search query;receiving the first media search query to a media search source selectedby the user via a user interface; providing a first media search resultfor viewing on the user interface based on the first media search query,the first media search result comprising first media; displaying thefirst media search result in a collection depository on the userinterface; saving the first media search query as a permalink for lateruse in submitting a second media search query, wherein the permalink isassociated with dynamic content of an RSS feed; adding the permalink toa multimedia presentation for viewing over a network, wherein thepresentation comprises at least a plurality of media from a user searchquery and the presentation is dynamic and changes each time thepresentation is viewed if media corresponding to the permalink haschanged between viewings; receiving a user-selected selected style, froma plurality of different styles that includes one or more stylesallowing the user to customize various characteristics of movementwithin the one or more styles, for the multimedia presentation; andautomatically populating the user-selected style with the media selectedby the user based on the user-selected style.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the permalink is a networkfile path.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,wherein the first media is one of dynamic media.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the dynamic media is oneof audio, video, music, or multimedia.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 16, wherein the computer executableinstructions for performing the method further comprises: receiving thesaved first media search query; providing a second media search resultfor viewing on the user interface based on the saved media search query,the second media search result comprising second media different fromthe first media; and displaying the second media search result in acollection depository on the user interface.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the first media is one ofaudio, photographic images, video, or music.